A climber suffered head injuries when he fell about 100m from Mt Awful in Mt Aspiring National Park this morning.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand said it received a personal locator beacon alert from a party of four climbers about 11am.
A rescue helicopter with a Department of Conservation alpine rescue team on board flew to the scene, near the Gillespie Pass, some 1300m up.
Mission co-ordinator Dave Wilson said the man, in his 60s, fell a considerable distance and required serious medical attention.
"This incident again shows the value of carrying a registered distress beacon. Because it was registered, we were quickly able to establish from the party's emergency contact the make-up of the party and their climbing intentions.
